Employers are always looking to cut costs and healthcare costs are one of their biggest problems. Most employees complain that they cannot lose weight because they don’t have time. A lot of employers are combating this excuse and offering treadmill desks, exercise balls, under-the-desk pedals, and other equipment for employees to use while at work. Some companies have even begun offering their employees an extra 20-30 minutes each day so they can spend time doing something physically active. This could mean taking a short walk around the building or spending a few minutes in the company gym.
On-site exercise facilities don’t need to be spectacular. A simple treadmill, free weights, and elliptical machines can really help some people that have struggled with finding time to lose weight. Several employers realize that weight loss cannot be done by the individual alone. A lot of people need a reason (besides good health) as to why they need to lose weight. One way you can help those people is to offer them cash as a reward. If people know there is a big prize for losing weight, they may actually join the challenge.
Employers need to take the time to actually educate their employees on weight loss. Although it may sound pretty simple to lose weight, several people don’t actually know how to lose weight. Offer some exercise tips for your employees and don’t forget to take time to discuss healthy eating habits.
Healthcare issues don’t always impact the obesity of a person; it can also impact their oral hygiene. If a person doesn’t take good care of their teeth, the company can see their dental healthcare costs start to rise. Promote healthy drinks in the office like milk and water over sodas and juice, these drinks actually break-down the teeth enamel and cause cavities to develop.
Exercising at work is pretty easy. Offer some exercise balls to your employees and encourage them to use them instead of a chair. Exercise balls are helpful in numerous ways, one of the main reasons they can help is because you will be using your leg, back, and core muscles to maintain good posture while you are on the ball. You can even do crunches and squats with the exercise ball; it’s a great way to get a small workout in while you are at the office.
So if the exercise ball isn’t your idea of an at-work exercise, why not try walking for 20 minutes a day. A brisk walk will help your lung capacity and it can help you shed a few pounds when it is done in conjunction with a good diet. Instead of using your entire lunch hour to sit and watch TV in the break room, go outside and have a nice walk. If you can’t exactly walk around the building, try walking around the office. Get a brisk walk in every 15-20 minutes, this helps to promote good circulation and it can prevent blood clots and other serious health conditions.
Under-the-desk peddlers are fun to use at the office. You can simply sit in your chair and start peddling away for 8-10 hours a day. While you probably won’t lose a lot of weight using and under-the-desk peddler, you will still be able to strengthen your leg muscles. The other great feature about an under-the-desk peddler is that you are keeping the blood flowing in the body, especially in the legs. If you it’s all day long, it is always beneficial for your health to get up and move every hour. Instead of walking around, you can use a little peddle time and start shedding some fat.